27-201   The Structure of Materials

This course covers the fundamentals of crystallography and diffraction. Topics covered include: the periodic table of the elements, bonding in different classes of materials, Bravais lattices, unit cells, directions and planes, crystal geometry computations, direct and reciprocal space, symmetry operations, point and space groups, nature of x-rays, scattering in periodic solids, Braggs law, the structure factor, and the interpretation of experimental diffraction patterns. 24 crystal structure types of importance to various branches of materials science and engineering will be introduced. Amorphous materials, composites and polymers are also introduced. This course includes both lectures and laboratory exercises.